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Millions throng to Hollywood every year to soak in the tinseltown sights -- the Walk of Fame, where sidewalks are studded with stars named for world's most popular entertainers, the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre where celebrity handprints andfootprints are embedded in the courtyard, and the Kodak Theater, home of the Oscars -- all located on a single block of Hollywood Boulevard.

If LA is on your itinerary in April, be sure to catch the unique flavor of that other tinseltown, Bollywood, right in the heart ofHollywood, through the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA). Starting Tuesday, April 12th and ending Sunday, April 17th at the famous Arclight Hollywood Cinemas on Sunset Boulevard -- just one street south ofthe Hollywood hot-spots -- this is sure to be one spectacular event! This part of Hollywood will be transformed into a vibrant hub of Indian culture, movies, music, food for an entire week.

The nine-year-old film festival offers a veritable feast of more than 30 Indian-themed feature films, documentaries, and short films including world and U.S. premieres as well as some that featured at the Sundance Film Festival and other renowned international film festivals... a true delight for any film fan! IFFLA is also the best venue to savor the rollicking entertainment of classic Bollywood song-and-dance flicks. Its BOLLYWOOD BY NIGHT series features screenings ofrecent hits, starring gorgeous Bollywood heart-throbs, slick action, brisk storytelling,and pulsating music and dances that will bring you to your feet and compel you to joinin. During these 21-and-over-only screenings, viewers can enjoy a glass of wine in thetheater and unwind after a hectic day of sightseeing.

You can walk around Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills just a few miles away and grab lunch at Cheesecake Factory or Crustacean or Chakra or The Ivy before heading over to IFFLA to watch some films. And given the great location, you can swing by the great stores around Los Angeles and especially Beverly Hills and Hollywood (check out the stores on Melrose Avenue too!) to do some shopping... from thrift stores to boutiques to major brands like Bulgari, Tiffany's, Armani, Escada, Jimmy Choo, Betsey Johnson, American Apparel, among others.

The IFFLA venue also within five miles of Universal Studios, Warner Bros, andParamount Studio tours-- making it an easy and uniquely experiential way to wrap up aday in Hollywood. For information about the festival, visit www.indianfilmfestival.org or click this link to buy tickets for specific films screening at the festival... http://www.indianfilmfestival.org/filmguide.php

Built by the Celts, occupied by the Romans, invaded by the Tatars and pillaged by the Ottomans, both Buda and Pest towns were almost totally destroyed in battles. The Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 and the amazing civic development that followed resulted in the present day Budapest - the grand Hungarian capital and one of Europe's most beautiful cities.

Known as "Little Paris of Central Europe"or "Pearl of Danube," Budapest boasts green parks, quaint streets, Renaissance culture and a pulsating nightlife that is on par with its European counterparts.

The great Danube splits the ancient city. Most of Budapest's famous sights are concentrated on the romantic Castle Hill on the Buda side, in downtown Pest and along the riverside walkways. You can get a great view via the funicular railway that takes you to the top.

The 14th Century Buda Castle or Royal Palace is a popular stop housing three large museums, the Vienna Gate, Matthias Church, Fishermen's Bastion and an underground Labyrinth that's a delight for children.

Don't expect cheap accommodation in the Castle Hill area where the views are spectacular and the buys expensive. Consider staying in Buda instead.

There are eight famous bridges across the river in Budapest that tourists will love to photograph, if not cross. You can have a superb glimpse over the bridges from the Citadella on the top of Buda's Gellert Hill or ride a boat to enjoy both riverbanks at the same time. For romantic views of the city, go at night.

Margaret Island with its large parks, gardens of flowers and old trees is a great place to spend a sunny day. Or you can head to Hajógyári-sziget Island where Budapest hosts the Sziget Fesztivál every August - Central Europe's most popular outdoor music festival attracting more than 300,000 visitors.

Downtown (Belváros) of Pest is the administrative and business centre of Budapest and the whole of Hungary. The main sights here include the majestic Hungarian Parliament Building (Országház) beautifullyoverlooking the Danube; the city's main church St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent István Bazilika) with a 96-meter dome and an inside decorated with mosaics; and the Great Synagogue - the biggest in Europe and one of the most impressive ones in the world including a Jewish Museum.Try to experience an opera at the spectacular State Opera House or a try some forklore or classical music at any of Budapest's many concert halls.

Budapest is a famous spa city, so go "bathing". The last vestige of Turkish culture in Budapest, the baths are built around hot springs and usually complemented with steam baths, saunas, massage services and drinking cures. The largest of the traditional public baths is the Gellért Baths decorated beautifully with mosaic tiles.

It's a great walking city but visitors can also take taxis, minibuses, metro, railway or the newer tram and bus services to get around. Great spots include Andrássy Avenue, the Pest Broadway and the House of Terror.

Try some tasty Hungarian food from goulash to pancakes at the well-known Szent Jupát Söröző & Étterem restaurant, the Kisrablo, or the budget Granny's Pancake. Or you could venture out for pizzas like "Usonka" or "Lenin's favourite" at Marxim; an all-you-can eat feast with unlimited wine and beer at the Mongolian Barbecue or the most authentic Korean food in the area at Seoul House.

Be it parks, museums, shopping or mountains, every traveler will find something they want to see or do in versatile Vancouver, known as one of the most progressive and vibrant cities in the world. Bike or walk with self-guided tours or hop on a helicopter orbus for city views.

Great architecture is preserved via heritage buildings, from the tudor revival Brock House and the majestic Christ Church Cathedral to the neoclassical Provincial Courthouse ( now Vancouver Art Gallery) and the art moderne Bay Theater.

Sports enthsiasts can head to the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum with a massive new 6,000 square foot gallery dedicated to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Gamers and geeks will thrill at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre offering music, theatre, and rockets, and parties celebrating space-conquerors like Yuri Gagarin. Travel through space with B.C's First Virtual Voyages Full-Motion Simulator, enjoy the multimedia Planetarium and GroundStation Canada shows, or get hands-on in the Cosmic Courtyard Exhibit Gallery.

For a bird's eye view, head tothe peak of Vancouver on Grouse Mountain, only 15 minutes from the city and at 4,100 feet, via the escalating cable car, Skytrain or walk up. It offers year-round options from logger shows and fast food to skiing, iceskating and sleigh rides.

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is Vancouver's oldest attraction, originally built in 1889 and stretching 450 feet across and 230 feet above the Capilano River. It now offers, nature trails, stores, kids events as well as a challenging cliffwalk or an exhilarating zipling adventure.

Hop on the Skytrain (the city's fully automated metro system) to head to Granville Island for a daytrip - an urban oasis filled with fine waterfront restaurants, theatres, galleries, cafes and a unique fresh food market.

Get a panoramic view aboard the Hells Gate Airtam or drive through the Fraser Canyon with its’ seven mountain tunnels through the historic heart of British Columbia and relive the the Gold Rush. Go panning for gold or satisfy your sweet tooth at the famous Fudge Factory.

If you are driving, don't miss the scenic and historic Highway 99 or the Sea to Sky Highway. It winds through five biogeoclimatic zones in British Columbia, from coastal rain forest at Horseshoe Bay to the Resort Municipality of Whistler, crossing paths with the Pemberton Trail and the Gold Rush Heritage Trail.

You could easily spend a week in Moscow, the most populous city in Europe and the seventh largest in the world, and not see everything it has to offer with the plethora of history, art and culture on offer. Now a fascinating mix of old and new, be prepared to be mesmerized -- from the ancient Red Square to the famous Bolshoi Ballet. Here's a handy list of must-see things in "the city by the Moskva River."

1. Russia's presidential administration is located in the Moscow Kremlin, once the royal citadel and the seat of Communist USSR, where you can see the Cathedral Square with the Tsar Bell, and the Amory Museum. But the country boasts a series of Kremlins - walled, unwalled or in ruins - from Izmaylovo to Smolensk.

2. Just outside the Kremlin is the grand old Red Square, from where all major streets in the city radiate. It became a focal point for the new state in the Soviet era. Its checkered past includes being a trade center for Moscow in the 18th century, the heart of the famous Palm Sunday processions, and the home of the famous St. Basil's Cathedral that first gave the square its characteristic silhouette.

3. The world's foremost collection of Russian art can be found in the renowned State Tretyakov Gallery. Built in 1902–04, the façade of the gallery building was designed by the painter Viktor Vasnetsov n an odd fairy-tale style and expanded to include several nearby buildings like the 17th century Church of St. Nicholas. During the 20th century, the gallery expanded to several neighboring buildings, including the 17th-century Church of St. Nicholas. In 1985, it merged with a gallery of contemporary art in a large modern building along the Garden Ring. The grounds of this branch includes the "Forge sculpture and the "Young Russia" monument. Nearby is Zurab Tsereteli's 86-meter statue of Peter the Great, one of the tallest outdoor statues in the world.

4.The Pushkin Museum is the largest museum of European art in Moscow, on Volkhonka street, and has nothing to do with the famous poet. t was founded by professor Ivan Tsvetaev. Tsvetaev persuaded the rich philanthropist Yuriy Nechaev-Maltsov and the fashionable architect Roman Klein to give Moscow a fine arts museum. Construction work began in 1898 and Tsvetaev's dream was realised in May 1912, when the museum opened its doors to the public. It's collections include Impressionist greats by Picasso, Van Gogh, Matisse and ancient papyrus documents.The International musical festival Svyatoslav Richter's December Nights has been held in the Pushkin museum since 1981.

5. The Bolshoi Theatre was founded in 1776 by Prince Peter Urusov and Michael Maddox. Associated from its beginnings with ballet, particularly Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, the repertory theater normally introduces two to four new ballet or opera productions each season with the sets and costumes for most productions made in the Bolshoi's own workshops.The current building was built on Theatre Square in 1824 to replace the Petrovka Theatre, which had been destroyed by fire in 1805. It was designed by architect Andrei Mikhailov, who had built the nearby Maly Theatre in 1824.The theatre is the parent company of the Bolshoi Ballet, one of the world's leading schools of ballet.

6. For a panoramic view of the city, head to Sparrow Hills, one of the highest points 200 meters above sea level, is a haven for tourists and photographers. Immortalized by many Russian poets and writers, it is a on a hill situated on the right bank of the Moskva River. Landmarks seen from the top include the Moscow state University, the Trinity Church, and the Khamovniki District.

7. One of the oldest surviving streets of the Russian capital, Arbat Street is pedestrian-friendly and dotted with performing artists,historic buildings and cafes.Originally the street formed part of an important trade route and was home to a large number of craftsmen. In the 18th century, the Arbat came to be regarded by the Russian nobility as the most prestigious living area in Moscow. The street was almost completely destroyed by the great fire during Napoleon's occupation in 1812 and had to be rebuilt. In the 19th and early 20th centuries it became known as the a place where artists and academics lived. In the Soviet period, it was the home of many high-ranking government officials.

8. Gorky Park opened in 1928 and is located at Krymsky Val and situated just across the Moskva River. The park was created by the amalgamation of the extensive gardens of the old Golitsyn Hospital and the Neskuchny Palace and covers an area of 300 acres. It includes several activities for tourists from a cave of horror to bumper boats. It's also a great place to watch locals run or relax, much like NYC's Central Park.

9. Shoppers must hit the city's two top malls - Gum and Tsum - each rivaling the other in size, elegance and opulent architecture and large expensive Western designer stores.

10. The Moscow Zoo has over 6000 animals representing more than 1000 species and covers an area of about 21.5 hectares. It was founded in 1864 by a group of professor-biologists and nationalized in 1919. Renovated in 1990 it was expanded to include a sea aquarium, an aviary, a creatures of the night exhibit, and a sea lion exhibit.

From the stately temple of Angkor Wat to the majestic Ka Tieng falls in Ratanakiri province, Cambodia offers the best of natural wonders and ancient history in southeast Asia.

Bordering Thailand to the west and northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest. The geography of Cambodia is dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap lake.

The capital Phnom Penh is its largest city was once known as the Pearl of Asia, it was considered one of the loveliest of French-built cities in the 1920s and is still noted for its beautiful architecture and attractions with a number of surviving French colonial buildings, such as the Royal Palace and Phsah Thmei.

Situated on the banks of the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassac rivers, Phnom Penh and the surrounding areas consists of the typical wet plain area for Cambodia.

The two most visited museums in the city are the National Museum - the country's leading historical and archaeological museum, and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum - a former Khmer Rouge prison.

For local festivities, check out the cambodian New Year celebrations in April or the Water Festival in November celebrating the reversing of the flow of the Tonle Sap river.

You can get around via the traditiona tuk tuks and cyclos or rent a motorbike. To see the newly-emerging modern city, stop by the green-domed Sorya Mall or walk down the Sisowath Quay, aka Riverside - an attractive boulevard along the banks.

While you sample the variety of local food, don't forget to try the delicious ka tieu - the local variation on rice-noodle soup, amok - a coconut milk curry, or the famous Cambodian pancake.

Cambodia also boasts a variety of wildlife and nature from Bokor National Park - a former French hill resort to the Tonle Sap Lake - a huge lake with floating villages and Southeast Asia's premier bird sanctuary.

Khmer culture has had a rich and varied history, heavily influenced by India, and you can find vibrant forms of literature, music, dance and art forms throughout the country, be it classical or folk.

For lesser-known but beautiful retreats, Cham - a countryside village on the Mekong river; Kep - a seaside area which predates Sihanoukville as the main beach resort; Kampot - a small town and the gateway to Bokor National Park; Krek - a small village on the backpacker trail; or Koh Ker - ancient ruins north of Angkor.

Starting in the country's capital and the country's largest and most populated city Rome, stop by the Vatican and the Colosseum which are among the world's most visited tourist attractions.

The historic city is rich with art and architectural wonders - from the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain to the Spanish Steps and the Sistine Chapel.

Whether it's the Campo dei Fiori - a large public square and marketplace, the Via del Corso - a busy and vibrant street full of palaces, hotels and shops, or the popular Basilica of St. John - home of the Pope, chances are you won't have enough hours to cover it all.

No trip to Italy is complete without gliding down Venice's canals in a gondola.

Rumored to be one of the world's most beautiful city, the city has an average of 50,000 tourists a day stoppingto gaze at the St. Mark's Basilica, the Grand Canal, the Piazza San Marco and the canal-shadowing Bridge of Sighs, to name a few. The Lido di Venezia is a popular luxury destination and events like the annual carnival Venice Biennale and the world's oldest, Venice Film Festival, draws crowds from all over the world.

Renowned as the birthplace of the Renaissance and in particular, Renaissance painting, Florence is another beautiful Italian destination, the capital of Tuscany. Home of notable figures from Michelangelo to Boticelli, the city boasts a wide range of collections of art, especially those held in the Pitti Palace and the Uffizi.

The crowning architectural jewel of Florence is the domed cathedral of the city, Santa Maria del Fiore and the nearby Campanile and Baptistery buildings. Both the dome itself and the campanile are open to tourists and offer excellent views; the dome, 600 years after its completion, is still the largest dome built in brick and mortar in the world.

The capital city of Lombardy, Milan is known as a world fashion and design center. With shops along Via Monte Napoleone and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in the Piazza Duomo - reputed to be the world's oldest mall - it has a rich heritage and legacy, a vibrant nightlife, and has a unique cuisine with famous dishes like the PanettoneChristmas cake and the risotto alla Milanese.

The city has a famous, particularly operatic, musical tradition, being the home of renowned composers Verdi like Giuseppe, and theatres like the Teatro alla Scala. Be it museums, universities, academies, palaces, churches, libraries, or famous football teams - you'll find it here.

Cheese and wine, an integral part of Italian life and culture, is as rich and varied as the country and Italy is the world's leading wine producer. So don't forget to refresh your palate with a sparkling Prosecco, savor wines at a local vineyard, bite into a Neapolitan pizza, taste the peasant's food of Veneto - polenta with rabbit meat. Top it off with a bite of cannoli and an authentic espresso. Cin cin!

Pristine beaches, rugged coves and blue-green waters makes for a veritable Eden at the tip of Mexico’s 1,000-mile long Baja California peninsula. Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo are the two main towns there, both easy to get to from North America, and provide travelers with the right mix of relaxation excitement. A popular spot for Spring Break and a coveted hideaway for the rich and the famous, Cabo San Lucas has a large marina and beautiful bay where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean.

Popular sights include the distinctive El Arco, a magnificent natural rock formation at Land’s End; the Iglesia de San Lucas on Calle Cabo San Lucas near the main plaza; and the long sandy main beach El Medano which is a haven for swimming and watersports. It also hosts the largest marlin tournament in the world and provides rich whale watching opportunities.

Restaurants on Marina Boulevard transform into tequila-flowing nightclubs after midnight. Whether you want to take a quick siesta at a happy hour or kick your heels up among mariachis at a fiesta, you’ll be able to do it.

Restaurant Sunset Da Mona Lisa is Los Cabos’ premier place for sunset-watching with spectacular Arch views, dramatic terraces, and delicious seafood. The most popular watering holes are El Squid Roe and the Cabo Wabo Cantina. For a more refined setting, head to Hemingway's, a cigar lounge with famous mojitos.

The town spreads out north and west of the harbor of Cabo San Lucas Bay, edged by foothills and desert mountains to the west and south. There are many hotels, B&Bs and resort options but the Hilton Los Cabos Beach and Golf Resort is one of few with a swimmable beach in the dangerous waters.

For day trips to San José del Cabo 20 miles northeast, catch a bus or a cab. The sister city is a charming old colonial town, founded as a mission in 1730. The historic downtown is peppered with art galleries, courtyard restaurants and a twin spire church. A great destination for families, it provides perfect surf beaches, amazing reef diving opportunities, a sea turtle nursery, an estuary for bird watching and the grand La Laguna mountains to explore.

The Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park is located just 60 miles north and takes you back to nature. Cabo Pulmo, known as the “Jewel of the East Cape,” is a small picturesque beach village that boasts a protected reef showcasing a deep blue bay.

The Cabo Pulmo Reef has eight fingers of hard coral, providing a safe haven for many of the 800 species of marine animals found throughout the Sea of Cortez where John Steinbeck once took part in a marine expedition. It is also the best snorkeling and diving spot in the area. From Mermaids Beach, a protected bay loaded with juvenile fish, to the Sea Lion Colony, you can snorkel with thousands of fish or swim with friendly sea lions in startlingly clear waters. You can also go deep sea fishing, drive over the sand in semi-auto ATVs, fly in the sky parasailing, take a zipline tour or go horseback riding.

There's one general store, one cantina, no paved roads, no church, no school, and six restaurants. The privately owned El Caballero, Tito's Bar, Nancy’s, Juan’s Tacos "La Palapa" provide an incredible variety of tasty Mexican food.

There are no hotels but plenty of charming options available, from the Cabo Palmo Beach resort to the artsy El Encanto house, for a sleepy, rustic vacation off the beaten path.

From the Great Barrier Reef to the Caribbean to the Red Sea, scuba diving can be a lot of fun, especially for those who love to travel. And if scuba diving is not for you, at least you can snorkel and enjoy some of the beauty that lies below sea level. Below are some incredible scuba diving images that will surely inspire you!

The Great Barrier Reef off the Australian coastline off Queensland is the world’s largest and longest coral reef consisting of over 3,200 individual reef systems. You should walk the beaches, catch an aerial view from a plane, but the best way to experience it is to go scuba diving in this kaleidoscope of aquatic life.

Ontario’s Bruce Peninsula (Canada) holds extra chilly waters but you will experience some incredible sea life here at the convergence of the Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. Not only will you find crawfish and bass... but you'll also find over two dozen historical ship wrecks in these icy cold waters.

Thailand has several famous dive sites such as Ko Tao, Phuket, Similan Islands, and Surin Islands. The best diving is at Ko Tao but you can enjoy practically most of the coastline. Thailand’s Andaman coast extends for 870 km from the Surin Islands on Thailand’s border with Burma to Tarutao National Park (setting of “Survivor Thailand”) bordering Malaysia. You can rent a boat and go out with your friends if you’re a pro; or you can have guides and pros take you out on rentals and give you hourly or half-day tutorials. Best times to go scuba diving in Thailand would be October through April.

Papua New Guinea holds beautify Pygmy Seahorses, variety of sharks, and an occasional Orca Whale. There are several wrecks amidst the reefs that have become home and hiding place for many different varieties of fish and sea creature. The colorful school of fish here will enthrall any diver, professional or amateur. Not suggested for the beginner unless you’re with a seasoned guide/instructor due to the deep drops and shallow reefs and atolls.

Bali, Indonesia’s terrain is unmatches with deep drop-offs and steep banks, coral ridges and bommies, volcanic outcrops and seagrass beds, and much more. This variety combined with the colorful marine life leads to fun scuba diving. You might bump into a cockatoo leaf fish or swim alongside pygmy seahorses (always fun!) or take underwater photographs of the sunfish. The best part about Bali is that the scuba diving is year-round although May to December is best. If you live in cold weather, seriously consider getting away to Bali during the cold holiday months – come and ring in the new year in this incredibly beautiful paradise.

The Red Sea’s (Egypt) tropical coral reefs lure travelers to the Sinai peninsula for not just beautiful but affordable scuba diving (compared to the prices in Europe and the Caribbean). There are many vacation homes and resorts worth checking out along the coast. Colorful fish and amazing coral reefs will leave you breathless and wanting more… this is a great place for the beginner!

Hawaii/Maui, of course, provides some of the most beautiful sea life that must not be missed. To get the best views and terrain try the smaller and less populated islands of Molokai and Molokini. We saw some gorgeous Sea Turtles on our visit recently.

Costa Rica, Belize, the Bahamas and the Caribbean in general must not be missed due to their crystal clear water which allows for greater visibility and better photographs. You will meet over 150 speies of fish and over 30 species of coral in these parts of the world. The manta ray and spotted eagle ray are fairly common in Belize. Hammerhead sharks are also very common. If you visit Belize, be sure to also spend enough time on land as this country packs more eco-diversity in one square mile than any other in the entire world. The plant and animal life is truly incredible!

1. Check out Chicago's rich architectural heritage by way of a Chicago Architecture Tour on the river.

The Chicago Architectural Foundation (224 S. Michigan Avenue; 312.922.3432) offers docent-led tours aboard the Chicago First Lady or the Chicago Little Lady. Purchase tickets at the Foundation office or before you board at the dock (Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive).

2. Shop until you drop on the Magnificent Mile.

The Magnificent Mile is home to over 400 internationally-renowned shops and boutiques. It is located on North Michigan Avenue between the Chicago River Bridge and Oak Street and is easily accessible by car, trolley, taxi, or bus.

3. Enjoy a drink at the Signature Lounge at the top of the John Hancock Building.

Located on the 96th floor of the John Hancock Building (875 N. Michigan Avenue; 312.787.7230) overlooking the Magnificent Mile, the Signature Lounge is an upscale bar offering breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline.

5. Enjoy one of the many Lake/River Cruises.

There are too many to name but most of the Lake/River Cruises are good and this is a fantastic way to take in this architecturaly magnificent city. Great for photography!

6. Catch a Cub's game at Wrigley Field.

Wrigley Field (1060 W. Addison Street; 773.404.CUBS) is home to the famed Cubs, who haven't won a World Series championship since 1908. It is the second oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. Tickets run between $14 to $60 per game.

7. Enjoy the Lincoln Park Zoo.

The Lincoln Park Zoo (2200 North Cannon Drive; ) is the nation's oldest zoo (founded in 1868) and indisputably the best bargain for parents in the United States. FREE. Open daily 9AM until 6PM.

8. Take the family to Navy Pier !!!

Navy Pier (600 E. Grand, on Lake Michigan; 800.595-PIER) is Chicago's number one tourist destination. This 3000-foot long pier was built during World War I and used in World War II to train the navy. Today, it is an entertainment megaplex complete with glass-enclosed garden, carnival rides, and food court.

9. Take a self-guided tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio.

Influential architect Frank Lloyd Wright lived and worked at his home studio, located in Oak Park (951 Chicago Avenue; 708.848.1976). The studio is open daily, and tickets range between $7-$10. Check for discounts for kids, seniors, AARP members and AAA cardholders.

10. Don't leave without tasting famous Chicago pizza.

Don't leave Chicago without enjoying a deep dish pizza (Chicago-style) from Giordano's or Lou Malnati's or Gino's Eat! These pizza pies will require a huge appetite and with their side and content will surely slow down even the most avid/experienced pizza lover! Also, near the Zoo, you can try the pizza pot pie at the Oven Grinder. Chicago is filled with incredible restaurants... but a trip to Chi-town without tasting their variety of deep dish pizza would seem incomplete.

A place of magnificent historical significance and a nation of immense variety, and amazing architectural marvels... Turkey is a must for anyone who loves to travel and learn about culture and history.

Officially known as The Republic of Turkey, this Eurasian country is situated in the Anatolian peninsula, located in Western Asia, and Eastern Thrace, located in Southeastern Europe. Geographically, Turkey is located in an extremely important and historic location.

Turkey is bordered by eight countries: Bulgaria to the Northwest; Greece to the West; Georgia to the Northeast; Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran to the East; and Iraq and Syria to the Southeast. The Mediterranean Sea and Cyprus are to the South; the Aegean Sea to the West; and the Black Sea is to the North. The Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles (which together form the Turkish Straits) demarcate the boundary between Eastern Thrace and Anatolia (also separating Europe and Asia).

Turkey also has gorgeous beaches and resorts but the people, culture, and history is what its all about... oh and we should not forget the food!

Turkish pizza, cherry juice, and Turkish coffee are amazing delicacies, if you can handle them... the cuisine includes seafood, kabobs, Mediterranean salads, baklavas and a whole lot more!

Most tours of Turkey would probably start with Istanbul, the largest and most popular city, although Ankara is the official capital. It is a megacity with over 13 million people and is the cultural, economic, and financial center of the country. Istanbul is located on the Bosphorous Strait and encompasses the natural harbor known as Golden Horn, in the northwestern part of the country. Turkey is the only country which lies partially in Europe and partially in Asia and thus is referred to as an Eurasian nation and Istanbul is the only city in the world that lies on two continents -- Europe (Thrace) and Asia (Anatolia).

The Sultan Ahmet Mosque, also known as "The Blue Mosque" (for the blue tiles that adorn its interior), is the most recognized structure of Istanbul (and Turkey) and its beauty is truly unsurpassed! Ordered by Suleiman the Magnificent and designed/built by Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan (1616), this structure has also been used in various Hollywood and Bollywood feature films over the past two decades. An interesting fact is that the mosque has over 260 windows!

Also worth visiting is the Hagia Sophia Museum to learn about the earlier art and history of this amazing culture. And when you're ready to buy gifts for family and friends, head to the Grand Bazaar which is sprawled over 58 streets and has over 4,000+ shops! If you can think of it, you'll get it here from art to apparel to food to furniture.

Arykanda (which can also be spelled as Arycanda) is a remarkable site situated on the steep-sideof the Terraces. An amphitheatre with an average number of 20 rows of seats with all essentials is present in Arykanda along with a Hellenic Stadium can be found just above the Amphitheatre.

Myra is another interesting site with its engraved stone masks that convey a great deal of emotion. Myra is considered to be one of the oldest towns in Turkey and was developed around 100 B.C. Back then it was one of the largest theaters in Turkey.

The Church of St. Nicholas built in the early 6th century is also noteworthy and should be visited.

Best time to visit would be March through May. Summers are quite hot and would be good if you're planning on spending more time in/near water. Winter, between November and February, should be avoided as it does rain quite a bit. Then again, with a country this rich in culture and history and beauty, we're not sure that there's ever a bad time to visit!